Mazda Canada Heads for the (Snowboard) Hills with Canada~Snowboard and FIS Snowboard World Championships

RICHMOND HILL, ON, Oct. 23, 2012 /CNW/ - Mazda Canada is excited to announce new partnerships with Canada~Snowboard, the official governing body for competitive snowboarding in Canada, and Snowboard Jamboree, host to the FIS Snowboard World Championships, a 12-day snowboard and youth lifestyle event featuring world class athletes competing for gold in six disciplines.

The partnerships will see Mazda Canada become the official vehicle of the Canadian National Snowboard Team through the 2012-2013 season and the title sponsor for the upcoming FIS World Snowboard Championships, which includes the Half Pipe presenting partnership in Québec City this January.

The dynamic action, extreme agility and youthful appeal that the sport of snowboarding embodies is a fitting match for the cutting-edge technology and fun-to-drive characteristics that Mazda injects into each of its vehicles. Mazda Canada is proud to be involved with Canada~Snowboard in a sport that is, by nature, truly Canadian and are pleased to have the opportunity to sponsor these talented athletes throughout the season and in their efforts at the 2013 FIS World Snowboard Championships.

"We are thrilled to be the official vehicle provider for the Canadian National Snowboard Team and see this as the perfect avenue to support Canadian athletes in a sport that embodies so many parallel qualities to Mazda vehicles," said Krista Kelly, National Manager, Brand Communications at Mazda Canada. "Their focus and dedication to the sport is the same way we feel about Mazda vehicles, and to share that passion is a great opportunity for us."

"Mazda Canada is excited to be a part of the FIS Snowboard World Championship games in Québec, and we look forward to seeing these talented athletes from all over the world compete here," said Alain Desrochers, Eastern Regional Manager, Mazda Canada. "These competitors exhibit extreme agility, speed and skill, which we believe are also the core strengths of our Mazda vehicle line-up, and we look forward to showcasing these characteristics alongside the athletes."

About Canada~Snowboard
Canada~Snowboard (Canadian Snowboard Federation), is the governing body for the sport of snowboarding in Canada. Committed to high performance excellence in World Cup, World Championships and Olympic Winter Games competition, Canada~Snowboard provides a wide range of programs and support services based on established principles of long term athlete development, for all levels of snowboarding ability. For more information on the services and programs offered by Canada~Snowboard, please visit: www.canadasnowboard.ca.

About FIS Snowboard World Championships and Snowboard Jamboree
In 2013 all eyes in the snowboarding world will be trained on Stoneham and Québec City as Snowboard Jamboree hosts the 10th FIS Snowboard World Championships January 16 to 27. Gathering 400 participants from 35 countries, this jaw-dropping program will feature the sport's six disciplines: Snowboardcross, Parallel Giant Slalom, Parallel Slalom, Halfpipe, Slopestyle, and Big Air. The 12-day event also includes amateur competitions, a fashion show worthy of the world's coolest catwalks, industry exhibits, and much more. Corporation Coupe du Monde de surf des neiges de Québec has tasked Gestev with putting on the international event. Gestev is an avant-garde event management company that has specialized in sports and cultural events in the Québec City area since 1992. It is a certified responsible event manager (BNQ 9700-253). www.quebecstoneham2013.com

About Mazda Canada Inc.
Mazda Canada Inc. is responsible for the sales and marketing, customer service and parts support of Mazda vehicles in Canada. Headquartered in Richmond Hill, Ontario, Mazda Canada has a nationwide network of 165 dealerships. For additional information visit Mazda Canada's media website at www.media.mazda.ca.

SOURCE: Mazda Canada Inc.

Sandra Lemaitre, National Manager, Public Relations
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